There's a good thread on RC Groups: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/
showthread.php?t=448537&highlight=Thermic
Based on that, I bought one. I think the guy that built it had his
come out at about 108 oz. I received an AUP RTF weight estimate from
Bob at Soaring USA of about 103 oz. With that info I bought one.
My build was at about 136 oz! I know of another Thermic XL that
came in at that weight. My center section is very heavy, I suspect
the tail boom and stabs are heavy, because a great deal of nose
weight was needed. I consider myself an experienced builder and
talked to Bob about the weight. He couldn't suggest anything that
might have caused the weight difference. My empty weight was about
96 oz.
At 136 oz, it doesn't exactly roar up the winch line. It will winch
launch, but you'll give up some launch height if you're thinking
about contest flying. It does fly well, and may be a decent XC
plane. For poking around and flying, it'd work fine. I'd be worried
about slope as mine fluttered during a cg dive look. Linkage like
other TD ships.
So, I'm not thrilled. Again, might work ok for XC though. Fun to
fly, the electric fuse works well, one of our club members flies that
set up and likes it.
Bob at Soaring USA is good to deal with. I think there may be
different builds or lay- ups that Bob wasn't aware of. Mine is blue
and white, the other heavy one I know of is also blue and white. The
one on RC groups is yellow + ? I'm not implying that it's a paint
difference, but perhaps a different build with the two colors.
There's also more building than most moldies, but it goes smoothly
enough. Hey, I built a ballast tube in mine; turns out it's pre-
ballasted <grin>
Sorry to not have better news, but thought you should know.
Barry
On Oct 9, 2006, at 10:02 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Anybody have any direct experience with the Thermik XL sold by
Soaring USA? What type conditions does it work best in? Is it a
good plane for thermal duration or is more suited to slope flying?
Any other comments ?
Thanks in advance !
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